Hammers enter race for Dundalk star Horgan

Aidan Fitzmaurice
– 22 November 2016 02:30 AM

Dundalk star Daryl Horgan

Premier League strugglers West Ham have joined in the chase for Dundalk star Daryl Horgan and the Hammers will have the recent Ireland call-up watched in this week's Europa League game at home to AZ Alkmaar.

But Rangers are also very keen on bringing Horgan and his Dundalk team-mate Andy Boyle to Ibrox for the second half of their SPL campaign, Gers boss Mark Warbuton a big fan of the duo.

While a number of MLS teams remain interested in Horgan, a batch of cross-channel scouts are due in Tallaght Stadium for Thursday's meeting with AZ.

League One side Bolton Wanderers reportedly already have an offer in for defender Boyle while Championship teams Preston and Barnsley hope to compete for Horgan.

But West Ham are now on Horgan's case and they could face competition from Sunderland, who pulled off a coup by signing James McClean from the League of Ireland in 2011 and then making a profit of £1.2m when they sold him to Wigan. The fact that Horgan is available on a free transfer could also tempt them.